Kaito observed the magical circle he had drawn on the ground. Before his game could be fully operational, he had to ensure everything was functioning correctly. He sat cross-legged and sank into his thoughts.
He couldn''t create a world as vast and detailed as the MMORPGs from his former life. Here, everything had to be designed according to the rules of magic. His goal was not only to offer a playground but also to build a system that would allow him to gradually regain his power. Every spell cast by a player would provide him with mana, but he needed the players to be engaged enough to explore and progress.
"A game where magic is at the center of everything... and where each individual must discover their own path," he murmured.
He infused part of his energy into the illusion and began shaping the environment. A vast plain, bordered by enchanted forests and mysterious ruins. At the center, a rudimentary village where players could gather. Further away, hunting areas populated by weak creatures: wandering goblins, spectral wolves, and a few elemental slimes.
Then, he set up several essential NPCs:
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A magic instructor, responsible for guiding new players toward their first elemental affinity.
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An equipment merchant, selling basic gear for beginners.
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An innkeeper, where players could rest and gather rumors about the world.
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A quest board, offering simple missions like collecting resources or defeating a few low-level monsters.
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A rudimentary forge, allowing slight improvements to the players'' equipment.
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</ul>
Finally, he created a point of interest: an ancient tower, visible from anywhere in the plain. Its intriguing presence would naturally entice players to explore it later.
He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the ground, initiating the process that would discreetly send invitations to individuals in this world. The illusion was set, ready to be explored.
A strange wind swept across the plain, lifting a thin veil of golden dust. One by one, glowing fragments appeared, materializing the first players.
The manifestation was not immediate. For a few moments, the space seemed to slightly distort, as if the fabric of reality hesitated before stabilizing. Then, gradually, silhouettes began to take form—first blurry, then clearer.
A stocky man with muscular arms looked around, confused. A young woman dressed in a mage’s robe immediately analyzed her surroundings. A nervous-looking teenager stared at his trembling hands, breathing heavily.
They exchanged glances, searching for bearings, before their attention was drawn to a floating luminous panel in front of them, projecting golden letters into the air:
Welcome to the Domain of Arcana.
Beneath this inscription, a simple directive was displayed: Explore, learn, and grow.
The stocky man was the first to react. He scanned his surroundings, visibly agitated, before clenching his fist and growling:
"What the hell is this? I was just drinking peacefully, and now… bam, I’m here!"
The mage frowned. She opened a floating interface in front of her and examined her status:If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
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Name: Alissia
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Magical Affinity: Fire
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Starting Spell: Minor Flame
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She murmured, more to herself than to the others, "A real progression system… it’s far more complex than I expected."
The teenager, still hesitant, timidly raised his hand and attempted a spell. A faint glow appeared briefly before fading instantly.
He swallowed hard before stammering, "Ah… I think I’m really bad at magic…"
Alissia, seemingly more pragmatic, carefully observed the surroundings. They were in a vast clearing where the ground was scattered with worn paving stones, remnants of an ancient road. Further away, a path snaked toward a village where a few smoke trails lazily rose into the sky.
"Well. This isn’t a dream. We need to understand where we are and how we can progress."
The stocky man shrugged. "Yeah… If we’re here, might as well see what this is about."
The group moved cautiously toward the village, curiosity mixed with wariness. As they approached, the environment came to life. The wind carried woody scents, the trees rustled gently in the breeze, and in the distance, the sound of a hammer striking iron could be heard.
Upon reaching the village outskirts, a simple-clad NPC approached them with a friendly smile. His voice was warm, though slightly mechanical:
"Welcome, travelers! You seem lost, but don’t worry, this village is a good starting point for any adventurer. You’ll find equipment, training grounds, and if you’re looking for work, our quest board will surely help."
The stocky man crossed his arms. "How come he talks like he''s reading from a script? He looks human, but something feels off…" He squinted at the man. "He talks like a real person… but he doesn’t react like one."
Alissia ignored his comment and continued her observations. Everything was astonishingly well-structured. The buildings, though simple, were logically arranged. A bit further, a circular space likely served as a training ground, and at the village’s center stood a large stone fountain, around which other NPCs gathered.
The teenager, still nervous, murmured, "This is strange… It feels like a trial set up by a higher entity… but everything seems so real."
A new prompt suddenly appeared before them, a simple floating text box proposing their first quest:
<blockquote>
Magic Beginners: Test your first spell at the training grounds.
</blockquote>
Alissia wasted no time. She accepted the quest with a simple gesture and turned to her companions.
"We should try it. If we need to understand this world, we might as well follow the steps."
They headed toward the training grounds, each still skeptical of their situation. As they approached, a hooded figure passed nearby, observing their arrival with a keen eye. He was another NPC, an old man with a piercing gaze, leaning against a stone wall.
"Newcomers, huh… Hmph. I hope they won’t be as incompetent as the last ones."
Ignoring the man for now, the group continued until they reached the training grounds. Before them lay a wide area of packed earth, surrounded by wooden stakes engraved with runic symbols. Another text box appeared:
<blockquote>
Use your first magic skill on one of the training dummies.
</blockquote>
Alissia stepped forward first. She raised her hand and cast her spell: a flame shot from her palm and struck a wooden dummy. The impact was minor, but the dummy briefly lit up with a red glow, signaling success.
The stocky man grimaced. "Magic… Not sure I like this." He attempted to punch one of the dummies, but nothing happened.
The teenager hesitated for a moment, then timidly raised his hand. A small green light appeared before vanishing instantly.
"Did that work?" he asked uncertainly.
Another dialogue box appeared before them:
<blockquote>
You have completed the first step. Continue training to improve your skills.
</blockquote>
As they prepared to try again, a new presence emerged. A figure cloaked in dark robes slowly approached, his face hidden beneath a hood. His voice was hoarse and measured.
"You… are novices?"
The group turned to him, wary. Alissia was the first to respond.
"Who are you?"
The man didn’t answer immediately. He examined each of them as if assessing them before speaking again.
"You want to become stronger? Then stop wasting time here. True power isn’t obtained by casting spells on wood."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of an alley.
A heavy silence fell. The stocky man raised an eyebrow.
"What a nice welcome."
The teenager swallowed hard. "He seemed… strange."
Alissia pondered for a moment before making a decision.
"We should see where he went. If we want to understand this world, we need to explore every aspect of it."
Meanwhile, Kaito remained hidden behind his illusion, observing. This was only the beginning, and already, the players'' first choices were shaping their destiny.